‘Bawaal is tone-deaf’: Twitter users react angrily to Auschwitz comparison

New Delhi: People are upset over the new Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor film Bawaal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and released on July 21, 2023. Due to certain dialogue referencing Auschwitz, the film has been criticised for being harsh and tone-deaf. Many viewers have taken issue with the film because of a line of conversation that seems to make light of the atrocities committed against the Jewish population of Auschwitz by the Nazis. This comparison, which was meant to show the difficulties a couple faces in a failed marriage, has sparked heated debate.

What is this stupidity… how can they be so tone deaf? Kya #Bawaal bana diya… https://t.co/Wq3ZAMP5sM

— Anuj Kamra (@anujkamra) July 22, 2023

So #Bawaal is telling us that the #Holocaust & #Auschwitz were nothing more th a bit of marital discord & turbulence. You could not find any other way to belittle the systematic, state-sponsored persecution & murder of 6 million Jews??? @niteshtiwari22 this is utterly insensitive

— Pennonymous (@nasim_nazia) July 21, 2023

Many Twitter users vented their frustration and outrage about Bawaal’s usage of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Many viewers were also left wondering how the film’s producers could have approved the film’s use of an Auschwitz analogy. Extreme dissatisfaction was expressed by some person, and the conversation that left another feeling betrayed was singled out by the other. These responses hardly scratch the surface of the very positive reaction the film got to the service. Some viewers were sickened by the insensitive comparison between Auschwitz and romantic relationships.

I haven’t watched #Bawaal as yet .. but one thing I can say is you can’t compare the horrors & tragedy of WW2 & Auschwitz camps to silly fights in life of a married couple ..

It’s an outright dumb & insensitive idea !
Who the f*ck approved of this kinda script ?

— Heer ? (@nikkupikku) July 21, 2023

One Twitter user commented, “Comparing tribulations and problems in a marriage to Auschwitz mass genocide is the lowest a Bollywood movie has ever stooped to. If a Hollywood movie, it would have been cancelled forever. Wtf were the Amazon people smoking when they green lit this?”

Comparing tribulations and problems in a marriage to Auschwitz mass genocide is the lowest a Bollywood movie has ever stooped to. If a Hollywood movie, it would have been cancelled forever. Wtf were the Amazon people smoking when they green lit this?#Bawaal #BawaalOnPrime

— attraversiamo ? (@Walede16) July 21, 2023

An unhealthy relationship is the same as The Holocaust and anyone who is greedy is like Hitler. ‘Har relationship apne apne Auschwitz se guzar ta hai. Tab jakar hume use ristey ki ahmiyat samaj mein aati hai. Ye bawaal ki story hai. I am deeply disturbed. #Bawaal

— Jagisha Arora (@jagishaarora) July 21, 2023

Critics and audiences alike have been left wondering whether this comparison is really fair. The release of the film has stimulated discussions regarding the obligations of moviemakers.

they did not just say “every relationship goes through a Auschwitz” for their shit ass marriage??? it’s sooo tone deaf omg wtf is wrong with me that I watched bawaal. embarrassing behaviour

— radpeep (@snackykook) July 21, 2023

About the Film

Ajay and Nisha, the film’s protagonist and love interest, are the focus of Bawaal. The plot centres on the couple’s journeys around Europe during and after World War II. But that’s not all; they also see themselves choking to death in the gas chambers of the concentration camp.